Pictures - to come soon

Due to some difficulty in the computer/site, picture uploading has been delayed until tomorrow (we hope)

Patrick

Baby Update

Elizabeth Kimberly Ann is doing well and getting settled in at home. She is mildly jaundicy but we are just keeping an eye on it for now. I am recovering from the whole birth experiance and between healing and nursing I am feeling pretty drained so I am keeping this posting short and sweet. The nitty gritty details will have to wait until I am more energetic. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Terri

Baby is born

D.O.B.: July 28, 2006 @ 7:12 pm (MST)

Name: Elizabeth
Weight: 8 pounds, 11 ounces
Head to Rump Length: 21 inches

Terri and Elizabeth are doing well in hospital at the moment.

Terri will provide a more thorough update, once she is home with baby - hopefully tomorrow.

Patrick

Preparedness

With my mom and Gramo's help we won't be thrown into a panic when Baby finally decides to show up. We have almost finished our to do list, just a few finishing touches and everything will be ready. I was hoping that Baby would be sneaky and decide to be born while everything was up in the air but we didn't get so lucky. I think that things are still progressing though. I have been having braxton hicks contractions constantly and that is a good sign. These contractions are nice since I don't feel them, I have to prod me belly to even know if I am having one. Baby is still quite active but maby a little less frequently then before. I don't think I can feel her move while I am having one of those practice contractions but at other times she gets in some pretty strong kicks and punches. I want this Baby to hurry up and be born.

Terri

Practice Pain

The past couple of days have been highlighted by intermittant pain. It is not labour pain but it hurts none the less. If I exert myself too much I end up with strong pain on one side of my belly or other where my ligaments are stretching. I also have baby trying to stretch out to her full length while enclosed in my womb. This does not work well at all! She has been even more active then ever lately, just trying to keep up with me I guess. It is quite the parlor trick to have Baby crawl across my belly while everyone is watching.
Since lunch time yesterday "everyone" has included my Mom and Gramo. It is great to have them around and though they have been in my position before me they are sympathetic to my condition. Some of Baby's lurching and bouncing even got their eyebrows up. I think they are looking forward to being Grandma and G-Grandma again. The picture is of the four of us at the fish pond near our house.

Terri

Count Down

The countdown is now at ten. I am hoping that we don't make it down to zero. My mom and Gramo arrive tomorrow and I am allowed to go into labour any time after they get here. Mom has been adamant that I will be in trouble if I let baby arrive before she does. First thing tomorrow though I am going to start doing squats and directing my positive energy down and out. "This is the way." "See the light, go into the light." Ete cetera ete cetera. It dosen't help things that we are about to start a serious heat wave. The basement is looking more and more inviting.
We had a Doctor's appointment today and everything is looking fine. Baby is pointed the right way, she just needs to snuggle in and come on out.

Terri

Words

I don't have much to say today. Baby is fine and still moving around. Only 11 days to go. Gotta get everything done.

Terri

Sleeping Beauty

I don't get much sleep these days. Sure I spend plenty of time in bed, dozing, but not that wonderfull deep refreshing sleep. I have this longing to sleep on my stomach, it is a fantasy, a dream. I feel that if I could just sprawl out like a starfish on my bed I would have the most perfect sleep of my life. We all want the imposible though don't we? I am stuck sleeping on my side and having to roll over every half hour because my hips hurt. I could find some relief sleeping on my back but that is bad for baby. So I will lie on my side and attempt to sleep. Meanwhile Baby will wake up from her comfortable nap and start playing kick the momma.
This morning was even harder to bear then normal. I didn't get to sleep until 4:30 in the morning and the window installers arived at 8am to put in the neighbour's windows. I couldn't even cram a pillow over my ears and try to sleep through the raket they were making, they were moving on to our place next. I got everything that patrick hadn't already moved out of the way and at 10 o'clock just when I was thinking of having a nap I was startled to see someone removing my second floor bedroom window. It is a good thing I wasn't sleeping naked or he would have got an eye full. As it is Galidor and I took up residance in the basement and stayed out of their way.
Patrick and I decided to walk to Seven Eleven for slurpies after dinner and I thought you might enjoy the picture. I hardly ever have them any more since they are a nutritional zero and not good for Baby but today I indulged myself.

Terri

Promise Kept

Here are those pictures I promised of me looking like a barge. Patrick stuffed a soccer ball up his shirt at my request so I wouldn't feel alone in my hugeness. It is akward getting pictures with both of us together since it requires setting the timer on the camera. The next camera we get should come with a remote control. Not just the press a button and click there is your picture kind of remote eigther. I want it to aim, focus, adjust to lighting conditions and then click. The remote should also have a display screen so I know if my teal bra strap is showing and if I am smiling pretty or smiling like an idiot. Patrick did not mention that my strap was showing and it is too dark to re-take the pictures. Ah well, they demonstrate my enormity.
Baby and I had a frustrating day today. We had to go to the hospital for a Rhogam shot and it took forever. Rhogam is a medcine routinely given to expectant mothers who have RH negative blood so that we don't develope antibodies against babies with positive blood types. Well, before they give you the shot they test your blood to see what your current antibodies are. I had gone for the blood work on Friday but the results were not in yet at my appointment time this morning. That meant that I had to get my blood taken again so they could run the test at the hospital which would be faster then having the lab send their results in. I don't mind needles, just needless needles. I guess I didn't hold the gause to my arm long enough today since after the lab tech sent me back to the waiting room I looked down to see blood running down my arm. Not a good thing. She got me re-bandaged with an extra piece of gauze and off I went again.
To the waiting room. To wait. Some more. Eventually they called me in for my shot and after a quick check of my temperature and blood presure it was drop my drawers and get poked in the bum. It is still tender thank you very much! All in all what I had expected to take fifteen minutes took almost two hours. Oh what a day. Dinner was yummy though.

Terri

big Big BIG

Yesterday was laundry day in our house and I had no clean shorts to wear. I get terribly hot wearing even light pants and the only pants that I still fit into are my black work pants or my sweats. I decided that to stay cool I would wear an old wraparound skirt. Now wraparound skirts usually go around you one and a half times, this one overlaped by about three inches. It revealed a whole lot of thigh but at least it was nice and drafty. I was playing around with it in front of the mirror and decided to tie it on above my belly rather then below it and made an interesting discouvery. Empire waste lines make pregnant women look like barges.
I truely looked like I was a month over due with triplets! I think I will even put it back on and take pictures so you can see what I am talking about. I was already feeling big yesterday but this made me feel enormous. I almost expected someone from Canadian tire to ask for the basketball back as Patrick and I left the store yesterday. I am feeling huge. To tell you the truth though I am reveling in it. I love having baby inside of me and I think it is funny not humilating to be enormous. I would like to be able to sit up in bed without a hydraulic lift though.

Terri

Bouncer

Here we go, another message. I am trying out a new method in this one. I am tyoing off the top of my head and I will only name it when I am done writing. I had a bit of excitment at the mall today, I thought for I minute that I might be going into labour! Cramping across my lower belly bad enough to make me stop walking and just lean against the store windows. It faded and there havent been any more in the seven hours since then. I guess it was just a combination of a very full blader and a bouncy baby who was tired of all the walking around I had been doing.
One of these days Baby is going to squirm around so much that she triggers my labour to actually begin. I wonder amongst all the myths of ways to trigger labour how many things can actually help it along. One day soon this kid is going to decide to kick off my stomach and launch herself out into the world. I am really looking forward to holding her and, with Patrick, deciding what her name should actually be.

Terri

Great Expectations

I am down to 15 days until my due date and I have yet to experiance a true food craving. I went into this pregnancy looking forward to waking Patrick up in the middle of the night and demanding that he get me some praline ice cream, or watermelons or something. Sure I have wanted the things that I know I cannot have and my strawberry consumption has gone through the roof, but I have not felt that need for a certain food.
I may just invent something to send Patrick for so he can feel appreciated. I will have to keep it healthy though, he is a good watch dog when it comes to my diet. This posting is making me hungry, I think I will go for a midnight snack. Pickles and Icecream anyone?

Terri

Missing in Action

Where have I been these past few days? Well I haven't been sitting at the computer in the basement thats for sure. I actually went two whole days without even turning the computer on. I am not even on the computer I normally use right now. Any why you ask? Well I had a very productive visit to the library on Monday and I have been reading ever since. Three books in two days might be a little excessive but it is what I am in the mood for. I tried to convince Patrick over the weekend that I could be like him and limit myself to a chapter a day, but I just don't have the self restraint. Perhaps if I were reading something something that I have to mull over and evaluate at the end of each section I would go a little slower but I must admit I have been reading fluff.
I have been reading gasp, romance novels! It goes against the grain, but there are tons of them in the library and the writers are prolific so I can pick a series and read seven or eight books by the same author. With my usual Science Fiction or Fantasy authors I only get new books in dribs and drabs. I just hate finding a new author who I really enjoy who only puts out a book every five years! And there are only so many tines I can read the same series over and over. So I have ventured into the realm of romance. Actually the ones I read most are Sci Fi and Fantasy romances similar to what I like to read anyway. Just water down the plot and add a good hot blooded romance and you have the formula. That is my main complaint actually. The books I have been reading are quite formulatic. I guess when an author is pumping out three books a year she doesn't have time do develope new plot structures.
I have spent some time wondering if I could write romance novels and get them published. I dont think I am capable of ever finishing a story I start to write and the idea of having people read a steamy love scene I wrote is disturbing. I think that it might be easier to have strangers read it then friends and family members. I can imagine myself having a permanent blush on my face if I had written some of the things I have read. Maybe I will come up with a pen name and never tell you if I ever do write something steamy and get it published.
Now on to the main event you all come here to read about. BABY! The other day, I think it was Monday, Patrick had his face against the belly and he was talking to the baby and she kicked him in the face. He was so shocked he just sat back and stared at the belly while I laughed my butt off at him. Somehow I couldn't work up any sympathy for him. Maybe because the little darlin likes nothing better then to kick me. Which she is doing right now. I really do sometines suspect that there are twins in there.
On the news the other day there was a story about a woman who gave birth in a Wal-Mart bathroom. She was full term and didn't even know she was pregnant. If I didn't know it was a baby moving around in my belly I would sign myself up at the circus as "The Amazing Contorting Belly Woman." This kid does not like to stay put. I have often wondered haw many calories an active baby burns moving around and playing kick the momma. There has probably been a study done on it. I must admit it is fun to watch Baby's bum and feet migrate around my belly.

Terri

Comatose

Today I slept. And then I had a nap. And then I slept some more. I will be going to bed soon. Exciting life I know but I just can't shake being tired today. Galidor seems to love the sedintary lifestyle, he likes cuddling when I am sleeping. In fact my black T-shirt is grey from the cat hair. Baby has 20 days left until she gets her eviction notice, she has been thumping on the walls and disturbing her neighbours. I think she needs a bigger appartment. I am tired and hoing to bed.

Terri

Still Going Strong

After a week I am still enthusiastic about this blogging thing. Having a site counter up and running helps so I know that I am not just talking to myself. Not that I have anyhting against talking to myself. I could just call this a journal and be satisfied in writing it regardless of who if anyone reads it. Lets be honest though, I want an audience! I am trying to be honest in what I write but it is written for public consumption. I usually think about what I am going to say before I sit at the keyboard and I am carefull not to include all of the random thoughts that I would regret publishing when I go back and read them a day or two later.
I guess that is the difference between a journal and a diary. I have never read anyone's diary, (except Anne Frank), but the Journals I have read seem to invite a glance and offer insight into the writer's life without invading their private thoughts. So now in mind I am clear, this is a journal of my life and thoughts that I am leaving out open on the table for anyone to pick up and read. I hope that I keep up with the daily entries since going back and finding blank stretches is always dissapointing. Also with my terrible memory I would have no idea what happened and this is a time in my life that I want to remember.
Reading my blogs you may notice that I never use spell check. There are several reasons for that. For one since I can't spell it dosen't bother me to read misspelled text. Two, I am being honest with you and that includes a glimpse into the mind of phoenetic spelling gone bad. Three, when it occured to me to do a spell check I was typing on Patrick's computer which has pop-ups blocked so it didn't work anyway. Four, if I was writing this with pen and paper in an old fashoned journal I wouldn't have spell check to fall back on so this feels more authentic to me. Finally five, it irks me when my spelling is so bad that spell check has no suggestions for me.
When it comes to grammer, it slows me down to a snail's pace to write grammatically correct sentences. If I went back and edited everything later to fix it I would only be putting out one entry a week and let's face it I am going for quantity not quality here. Also I am not being graded on this and it is not being used to land a job so more relaxed rules are in order.
Now onto the baby news. There is no baby news. She is just as kicky and squirmy as ever and she demands strawberries at least three times a week. We are slowly getting her furnature sorted out and re-painting some things for her but we still have much to do in the next three weeks. I have almost conceeded that we will have to walk home from the hospital and never put her in a car, baby seats are very expensive! I wonder if the hospital will let us take her home in a stroller since we have no car anyway? All of our baby handouts say that you have to take your baby out of the hospital in an approved car seat, but why cram the baby into a car seat if there is no car? By the way, the hospital is only a ten minute walk away from our home.

Terri

Guessing Games

One of the funnest things to do in the last few weeks of a pregnancy is to guess what day the baby will arrive on. Baby is due on the 30th of July and the Doctor says everything is progressing normally. The fundal height has always been bang on and I have gained 30 pounds in the pregnancy. I am confidant that I got my dates right at the start of the pregnancy, so bearing these things in mind lets get the guessing started. I invite your comments on Baby's birth date and birth weight. Bear in mind that if your guess in any time in August or if you think Baby is going to be a ten pound bruiser I may have to re-evaluate our friendship!

My guesses are: July 26, 7pounds 6ounces

Patrick's guesses: July 28, 8pounds 4ounces

Lets see if any of us get it right.

The picture of me is from tonight and the double rainbow was during yesterday's thunder storm.

Terri

Good to be Lazy

I did it! I took the day off. This morning I slept in as long as I wanted then I got up for breakfeast/lunch. After watching the noon news I lay down for an hour, not having a nap just doing sudoku and petting Galidor. I did get up to wash the dishes and make dinner but compared to the hectic pace of the last few days this was a vacation. I also sorted through the games and puzzles that came off one of our bookshelves when we moved it. I have seven jigsaw puzzles that I should have donated at the same time as our old clothes and stuff. Oh well they will have to be stored in the basement until we have another chance to unload stuff.

Baby didn't get the message that we were taking it easy today. She has been kicking and squirming all day. We have had our baby names picked out for months but now that things are getting close to an end we are startig to re-think them. My sister Kim is insistant that we include Kimberly or Kimball in Baby's name and today Patrick suggested an alternate girl name that includes it. Instead of Elizabeth Ann Marie we may now opt for Elizabeth Kimberly Ann. It is a huge responsibility naming a baby, I don't want to accidently name her something that rhymes with poo. Kids can be so mean and I don't want to be the one to provide amunition for the playground bullies to use against Baby.

We had a great thunder storm this afternoon. There was a beautiful double rainbow during the downpour. I took pictures but I haven't uploaded them onto the computer yet. I will try to get to it tomorrow. It was unfortunatly still too light out for the lightning to show up much but the thunder was impressive. Baby was oblivious. Galidor was nowhere to be seen. Patrick was delighted.

Terri

Exhaustion

Maternity leave is very tiring. I feel like going back to work so I can take a break from getting ready for baby. I finished up with the rental truck today by bringing back our bottles to the depot ($12.25), and dropping off the carpet shampooer. My doctor's appointment was uneventfull. Baby's heart rate today was 124BPM, usually it is closer to 160 so I guess she was taking it easy today. The Doctor also said that her head is engaged in the pelvis. Might explain why I am going to the bathroom about 20 times a day! I don't think Baby has dropped yet though, I still seem to be carrying high. Maby once she snuggles down a little lower I will notice the change.

I would like to take a break from my maternity leave tomorrow but with the house looking like a bomb went off and Baby due in 24 days I don't dare. Hopefully over this weekend we can get everything re-assembled and back where it belongs. Galidor would appreciate the return of the status quo, he is very disgruntled about the recent upheaval.

Terri

Slogging Away

Baby and I have had a busy day but the to do list is not getting done. After dropping patrick off at work I hauled away the junk. Since I had an hour to kill before the recycling center opened I stopped off at Wal-Mart to accumulate more junk. Kitty litter is a necesity in our house but it sure is heavy. I couldnt resist the urge to go back to bed when I got home so the rest of my chores had to wait until noon when the mailman woke me up. The birthday package my mom sent from Thailand finally arrived almost two weeks after it was supposed to. I got some of the furnature moved back into the clean room but it was slow going since I was trying to dust and organise at the same time. Once Patrick came home from work he hauled everything over so I will clean it later. Make sence I guess since I have to finish the carpets by tomorrow morning.

Galidor had his annual vet appointment this afternoon and he is still upset with me. He is in fine shape and after losing 1.1 pounds is at a very healthy weight. Unfortunatly for Patrick he has to stay on litter box clean up duty until I am no longer nursing Baby.

Yesterday Baby didn't care about the carpet shampooer but today she is complaining violently. I have taken an hour off to make dinner and rest and if she kicks up a fuss when I get back to it Patrick is going to have to step up to the plate. Back to work for me.

Terri

Preperations

I am down to 26 days! It would be nice if things happen before then but I think we do need the time to get ready. I have a U-haul rental for two days so I can get some of the big stuff done. Today I used it to get a carpet shampooer and a whole pile of groceries home. Tomorrow I am going to haul away most of the junk that we have accumulated in nearly two years of living here. Patrick is going to load the heavy stuff for me tonight and I will play the damsel in distress to get help unloading it. I have cleaned the carpets in three rooms and a hallway, now we need to move furniture into those clean rooms so I can get to the rest of the house.

Baby doesn't seem to mind the noise and vibrations of the carpet shampooer, she is just moving around like her usual self. It feels truly odd to be driving along while Baby is rolling around in my tummy. It is a definate distraction! Well I've got more cleaning to do, fun fun fun.

Terri

Enthusiasm

Well judging by the frequency of my visits to the blog I am very enthusiastic about it. I just thought I would add a photo of Patrick and I, and a photo pf the belly. I hope I get lots of visits tomorrow while you are all supposed to be working.

Terri

Nesting Urges

Patrick and I have been cleaning the house in preparation for baby's arrival. I am helping out with my little bursts of energy but Patrick is going like a machine. I think he is feeling the nesting urge. I am looking forward to the day or two where I have the energy to do stuff from start to finish but for now I just plod along at my own pace. At the moment Baby is making a big solid bulge in my belly about half way between my belly button and my (sternum?). Well she is not there anymore so I don't need to know the name for that part of my anatomy.

I was reading about the ninth month in my baby book and they kept refering to the due date as "D-Day." Well I have 27 days to go untill D-Day and having it refered to as a monumental battle from WWII dosen't instill confidance in me. Ah well, it will come weather we are ready or not.

Terri

Bells ans Whistles

Here is the first picture and the promised bells and whistles. Hmmm, I wonder if video clips can be posted here as well?

Terri

Venturing Forth in a Techno World

Well I have done it, started a blog! I will be tracking Baby's progress for you and hopefully giving you a weekly picture. I will try to add blurbs daily so I hope that I get a regular readership.

Today July 2, 2006 the count down is at four weeks. According to my baby books Baby should weigh about 6 pounds this week. I am going to refer to baby as a girl until we find out otherwise. She is very active in my belly and is rythmically kicking me as I type this. I am going to keep this entry short so I can learn about all the features I can include in my blogs. Look for bells and whistles in my next entry.

Terri